Kōji Kinutani

Koji Kinutani (, January 24, 1943 – August 1, 2025) was a Japanese Yōga painter. He was a recipient of the Order of Culture and a member of the Japan Art Academy. He served as a professor at Osaka University of Arts and as an emeritus professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. He was also recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit.

Kinutani had previously held positions such as professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and director of the Japan Artists Association.

Life and career Early life Kinutani was born in Motoyoshicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture. He graduated from Nara Prefectural Nara High School and later from Tokyo University of the Arts, majoring in oil painting (1966, under Ryohei Koiso). He won the Ohashi Prize for his graduation work.

Career Kinutani began learning oil painting at the age of six. After graduating from university, he studied in Italy in 1971, where he researched classical fresco painting techniques in Venice. In 1974, he received the Yasui Prize for "Portrait of Mr. Anselmo." Following further study in Mexico, he became a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1993, contributing to the education of future artists. He also appeared on NHK's "Sunday Art Museum" and conducted public lectures on fresco techniques to promote understanding of classical Western painting. His works are showcased in solo exhibitions at major department stores across Japan.

In 2000, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy. In 2008, he established the Koji Kinutani Prize, recognizing young artists under 35, with sponsorship from the Mainichi Shimbun. In 2010, he was named an emeritus professor at Tokyo University of the Arts.

Death On August 1, 2025, Kinutani died in Tokyo due to malignant lymphoma. He was 82.

Career milestones 1987 (Age 44) – Lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts 1989 (Age 46) – Associate Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts 1993 (Age 50) – Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts 2001 (Age 58) – Member of the Japan Art Academy 2009 (Age 66) – Established the Koji Kinutani Prize with the Mainichi Shimbun 2010 (Age 67) – Emeritus Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, Professor at Osaka University of Arts

Awards 1966 (Age 23) – Ohashi Prize at the Tokyo University of the Arts graduation exhibition 1974 (Age 31) – Yasui Prize for "Portrait of Mr. Anselmo" 1989 (Age 46) – Mainichi Art Award 2001 (Age 58) – Japan Art Academy Prize for "Blue Skies Dream Tale"

Honors 2014 (Age 71) – Person of Cultural Merit 2019 (Age 76) – Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Wooden Cup Set 2021 (Age 78) – Order of Culture

Major works "Portrait of Mr. Anselmo" (1973) "Portrait of Daria Ganassini" (1975, Niigata City Art Museum) "Angela and the Blue Sky II" (1976) "Goddess of the Silver Peaks" (1997, Official Poster for the Nagano Winter Olympics)

Public art and murals Kinutani has created numerous murals and public artworks across Japan, including "VIVA YOKOHAMA" at Yokohama Station and "The Sun of Hope" at the Consulate-General of Japan in New York.

Publications The World of Mural Painting (Poplar Publishing, 1983) Koji Kinutani Art Book (Kodansha, 1984) Koji Kinutani Art Collection (Kyuryudo, 1989) The Dream of a 20-Billion-Light-Year Wall (Art Annual Co., 1992) Koji Kinutani FUJI-I (Nikkei BP, 1996) The Path of the Wind, The Path of Buddha (NHK Publishing, 2003)